JOHN Gregory left Wanderers on Wednesday night and then told the Bucks Free Press that signing Keith Ryan on a three-and-a-half year contract was the biggest mistake he made at Adams Park because he wants to take Rhino with him to the Midlands.

Speaking just five hours after his Villa Park appointment, Gregory said: "Signing Keith Ryan on an extended contract for Wycombe is the biggest mistake I've made. If I'd not done it he would have been able to walk away from Adams Park on a free in the summer and I might have been able to pick him up for nothing.

"I would love to see him in a Villa shirt. I've been impressed with the way he's adpated to his new defensive position."

Ryan only signed his new performance related Adams Park contract last week and was stunned by Gregory's departure.

He said: "It's very complimentary to think he would even consider taking me to Villa. They've got plenty of money so why not.

"He's a fantastic coach and he's becoming a very good manager. I had an exceptional manager in Martin O'Neill and as far as I'm concerned John Gregory is along the same lines. You never know what's around the corner."

Gregory said that Ryan might not be the only player he comes back for. He has a very high opinion of youngsters Alan Beeton and Irish youth international Mo Harkin. During his time as Blues boss he kept Harkin away from the press to keep his feet on the ground and to keep his name away from other clubs.

David Kerslake who only signed for the club on loan from Ipswich because of his relationship with Gregory, they were teamates at QPR, could still sign for Wycombe.

He said: "I only joined because of John Gregory but since I've been here I've grown attached to the club and its fans and I'm still interested in Wycombe."

Gregory spent £455,000 on nine players during his Adams Park reign attracting the likes of goalkeeper Martin Taylor and Paul Read away from Premiership clubs.

His departure leaves Blues midfielders Dave Carroll and Steve Brown in limbo. Their contracts expire this summer and Gregory revealed last week that he wanted to extend them - but he left before they could put pen to paper.

Chairman Ivor Beeks said: "I'm still gobsmacked by his departure.

"We had a great working relationship. He's left on very good terms and I'm very sorry to see him go."

Gregory said: "It wasn't difficult going to see Ivor on Wednesday morning but it was difficult saying goodbye. It was very emotional."

After Gregory's breakfast meeting he headed up the motorway for Birmingham. He was smuggled into Villa Park in the back of a car and then had to wait in an executive box for an hour before Villa were ready to release the news.

After facing the media one of the first things Gregory did was to speak with his former colleague Brian Little, the man he has replaced in the Villa Park hotseat.

He said: "Brian rang me at 6.15am and I couldn't have wished for a better conversation. Everything was done properly he left and I was brought in immediately. Brian has been fantastic and it gave me a real lift."

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